ABSTRACT
Background: Clarity of the cornea is fundamental for pure vision following cataract surgery including phacoemulsification . The pumping action of corneal endothelial cells acts to maintain this clarity through maintaining the corneal stroma dehydrated, so integrity of this cell layer function is very important for corneal clarity.
Aim of the Work: to evaluate endothelial cell layer function before and after phacoemulsification by assessment of changes in density of endothelial cell and corneal volume of central corneal ring of 10 mm diameter.
Subjects and Methods: A prospective interventional study was performed during the period from September2019 to December 2019 at Sayed Galal University Hospital. A total of 22 eyes from15 subjects, aged 50 -65 years old, both genders were involved. All patients had an uneventful phacoemulsification for immature senile cataract. Patients were evaluated pre and postoperatively by Topcon® SP-1P specular microscope for cell density and by SIRIUS® 3D rotating Scheimpflug & topography system for corneal volume of central 10 mm ring
Results: Our results demonstrated that specular endothelial cell density decreased significantly and
Central corneal volume increased significantly after phacoemulsification. Cell density changes
Showed a reverse proportional correlation with corneal volume changes.
Conclusion: The increase in corneal volume following phacoemulsification can indicate the degree of the endothelial damage. A single anatomical or functional test may not be sufficient for definite evaluation of endothelial dysfunction after phacoemulsification.
Keywords: ( Corneal Endothelium Function; Corneal Volume; Specular Microscopy; Phacoemulsification).